Solar channels Dimebag Darrell with first high-end X Series electric guitar
The Ola Englund-led firm's first up-market six-string features a killswitch, and is powered by "modern and aggressive" custom-wound humbuckers
Solar Guitars, the ever-prolific electric guitar brand headed by popular YouTube guitarist Ola Englund, has made its first entry into the high-end electric guitar market with the launch of its new European Master Series.
Leading off this new line is the XF6FRFSB, a striking model that looks to be Solar's take on Dimebag Darrell's signature guitar.
You can see Englund demonstrate the new model's sonic capabilities in the video below.
For starters, the new guitar features a body and neck made from hand-selected pieces of aged African mahogany, with a "Solarburst" AAA book-matched flat flame maple top and headstock cap.
The 10-12” compound radius, 24.75" fretboard is made of Richlite, and is adorned with 22 stainless steel super jumbo frets, Luminlay fret markers and Solar's logo inlayed at the 12th fret.
Sounds on the axe come by way of custom-wound Solar Modern SA56BEU and SA56NEU humbuckers, which are voiced to be "more modern and aggressive" than the company's Solar Alnico V pickups. The 'buckers can be adjusted by a minimalist control set comprising a single volume knob, three-way pickup toggle and a nifty killswitch.
A Schaller Lockmeister Floyd Rose and M6 locking tuners, meanwhile, complete the spec sheet.
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
“I’ve always had a soft spot for high-end guitars that have a sort of mystery about them, so now, after doing five years of Solar Guitars, we are creating some instruments that to me hold that same type of mystique," Englund said of the European Master Series in a press release. "I’m super excited about all the models we are building and releasing in 2023."
“The goal was focused from the beginning – no compromise," added Solar's Vice President, Joe Delaney. "Take the best raw materials, best hardware and best luthiers with every bit of attention to detail – the results are incredibly rewarding.”
The Solar XF6FRFSB is available now – with a custom MCX molded case and Ola Englund-autographed certificate of authenticity included – for $3,799.
For more info on the model, visit Solar Guitars.
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month**
Join now for unlimited access
US pricing $3.99 per month or $39.00 per year
UK pricing £2.99 per month or £29.00 per year
Europe pricing €3.49 per month or €34.00 per year
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Jackson is an Associate Editor at GuitarWorld.com. He’s been writing and editing stories about new gear, technique and guitar-driven music both old and new since 2014, and has also written extensively on the same topics for Guitar Player. Elsewhere, his album reviews and essays have appeared in Louder and Unrecorded. Though open to music of all kinds, his greatest love has always been indie, and everything that falls under its massive umbrella. To that end, you can find him on Twitter crowing about whatever great new guitar band you need to drop everything to hear right now.
“As a guitar collector, when you get the opportunity to buy one of your heroes’ guitars, you must do it”: Stone Sour guitarist Josh Rand’s guitar collection is an ode to the gods of ’80s shred – but he’s putting some of his prize pieces up for sale
“Reveal coming soon”: At long lost, is Gibson finally working on James Hetfield signature guitars?